Public Liability Insurance

As well as damage to glass or anything else you may clean, public liability insurance for window cleaners provides cover against claims by members of the public who have sustained injury or damage to their property because of your business activities (a ladder falling on a car, say).

You are not required by law to take out public liability insurance, but most reputable companies and some customers won’t allow you on their premises without it.

There are three main levels of cover to choose from - £1 million, £2 million or £5million.

Things to look out for

Check the type of equipment covered and any height restrictions that could impact on the type of property you can work on.

Some insurers will only cover ladders or water fed poles.

If you’re asked to quote for a contract for a high rise building where you need a cradle, platform or cherry picker you could find these are excluded.

So it's worth checking if an insurer's limited options could limit work opportunities.